Woman convicted in texting-suicide case sentenced to 15 months

A Massachusetts woman showed little emotion as she was sentenced to 15 months in jail on Thursday for coercing her boyfriend via text to kill himself.

Bristol County Juvenile Court Judge Lawrence Moniz found Michelle Carter, 20, guilty of involuntary manslaughter in June for encouraging Conrad Roy III, 18, to take his own life in July 2014 after prosecutors successfully argued the then 17-year-old was an attention-seeking teen, desperate to play the grieving girlfriend. She had faced up to 20 years in prison.

Moniz gave her a 2.5 year sentence and said only 15 months was mandatory. He also sentenced her to five years of probation.

Bristol County District Attorney's Director of Communications Gregg Miliote said the other 15 months of the sentence "hangs over her head" if she gets into legal trouble during her probation.

"I have not found that Miss Carter’s age or level of maturity or even her mental illness have any significant impact on her action," Moniz said. "She was a bright young lady, did well in school and I am satisfied that she was mindful of the actions for which she now stands convicted."

But Carter's lawyer, Joseph P. Cataldo, successfully petitioned to have her sentenced stayed, meaning she will not go to jail until her state appeals are exhausted.

He added that Carter can't have contact with the Roy family, except for the prosecution of a civil suit, and Carter is not to have contact with classmates who acted as witnesses for the prosecution. She is also not to leave the state of Massachusetts, and must submit DNA samples and a have a mental health evaluation.

And Carter is banned from using social media.

If she violates the terms of her five-year probation, she will have to serve her full sentence in jail.

However, Carter's probation also doesn't start until her appeals are exhausted, and she will remain on the terms of her pre-trial release until a decision is made at the appellate level. If her appeals are denied, she will have to begin serving her jail sentence and probation.

Carter wiped tears from her cheeks as Moniz dismissed the packed courtroom.

During the hearing, Roy's family spoke through tears, explaining how Carter's actions had impacted each of them, as they spoke before Moniz.

"Michelle Carter exploited my son's weaknesses and used him as a pawn. She has not shown any remorse. The fact that he was convinced to him to kill himself is unimaginable. Where was her humanity? In what world is this behavior OK and acceptable?" Conrad Roy Jr., Roy's father, told Moniz on Thursday.

"I have been to few court hearings but it caused emotional pain. I could not come to terms with someone who claimed to love him inflicting so much pain on him and my family," Lynn Roy wrote.

Flynn had recommended a sentence of seven to 12 years for Carter, and reiterated that Carter had not accepted responsibility for her actions or shown remorse.

Cataldo, told Moniz that Carter had no history or record of disciplinary problems and that she would be a prime candidate for probation.

"This is a horrible circumstance, which she does regret and does take responsibility for," Cataldo said, adding that because the case was heard in juvenile court, Carter would be better suited for probation and would abide by whatever conditions Moniz set.

Following the sentencing, Flynn said that they were disappointed with the judge's decision to grant the stay.

"While we are disappointed the judge chose to stay the sentence, we remain steadfast in our belief that Michelle Carter committed involuntary manslaughter and needs to be held responsible," she said.

Roy died after he used a portable water pump to fill his black Ford F-250 with carbon monoxide while Carter texted him to stay in the vehicle from 30 miles away.

During a 47-minute call with Carter, Roy exited the vehicle because the carbon monoxide poisoning was “working and he got scared,” court documents say.

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